How To Use This Reading Guide

A passage of scripture, prayer, or song is provided for each day of the week, Monday–Saturday, with Sunday as a day to reflect on the sermon. You may either read and sing these on your own, or have them read and sung to you by a member of our congregation. To access this content, please follow us on social media (www.facebook.com/cornerstonewla or @cornerstonewla  on Instagram). Lyrics for a second weekly song are also provided, and this can be sung each day of the week as well.

You may notice that some of the selected scripture passages feel more connected to the Christmas story than others. But all are intended to set your mind on the hope we have in Jesus. As you ponder the meaning of this Advent season, we encourage you to meditate each day on these three questions: 

1. What does this teach or remind us about what is true of God?
2. What does this teach or remind us about what is true of ourselves?
3. How does this encourage us to set our hope on Christ? This can be done alone or in community (as part of your community group, or with family, neighbors, roommates, or friends).

We recommend that you read the daily passage or prayer (or listen to the song), reflect on the three questions above, and then sing the weekly song. Some people also choose to light a candle to commemorate the time of Advent. For extra resources to guide your devotional time in this season, see the “Expanded Resources” section at the end, including sermons, albums, and books.

Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 21st

Isaiah 26:1-12

Isaiah foretells of the peace God’s people can expect when a righteous God is ultimately victorious.

Tuesday, December 22nd

Psalm 23

This psalm of David relays the comfort and peace of being led when the Lord is the shepherd. 

Wednesday, December 23rd

Song: O Holy Night

Thursday, December 24th

Luke 2:1-21

Luke’s gospel recounts the birth of Christ, at which the angels proclaimed glory to God and peace to men on earth. 

Friday, December 25th

Romans 15:13

A benediction of hope going forth from the Advent season. 

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel